Synchronized release of Doxil and Nutlin-3 by remote degradation of polysaccharide matrices and its possible use in the local treatment of colorectal cancer

This study focused on developing multicompartment vehicles capable of carrying drug cargos of different nature that, upon collapse, disperse their loads evenly, thereby causing them to function concomitantly at the same location (Nadler-Milbauer, 2009). Specifically, we focused our efforts on a hydrogel (alginate beads) with the intention of targeting the intestinal mucosa with a combination of cytotoxic agents in the context of micro-disease recurrence prevention after malignant polyp removal in CRC. This approach is meritorious for other medical applications. For example, we have already demonstrated that a concomitant release of poorly absorbed drugs and absorption enhancers or P-glycoprotein inhibitors significantly increased the drug bioavailability after intestinal administration in rats (Baluom et al., 2001).